Author Wendy Paine Miller ~ And a Six Author Giveaway

Today I'm welcoming author Wendy Paine Miller to my blog! Wendy's guest post is the third in a six week author spotlight series I'm doing here. Week one I hosted author Jody Hedlund and week two I hosted author Laura Frantz. Check back here each Wednesday for a new author. At the bottom of this post I'll tell you how you can win a fun gift basket from these six authors!

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Welcome to my blog, Wendy. I’m so excited to have you as a guest today! Since I found your blog, Thoughts that Move, I’ve been a big fan. I love how your blog posts challenge me to dig deeper and think about the things that really matter. Since I started following your blog, I’ve been anxious for the day I could read one of your stories. That’s why I’m thrilled to be talking about your debut release, The Disappearing Key!

For readers who might be "meeting" you here for the first time, can you give us a quick history lesson on your publication journey?

Sure, four score and seven years ago…okay, so it hasn’t been 87 years since I’ve been crafting stories, but sometimes it feels like it. I graduated with an English degree in writing concentration. Got married. Had babies. Then characters and novel concepts took over my brain. That was about six years ago. I’ve written nine novels in that time. Secured an agent somewhere in there. Then decided it was time to get my work out there.

Which you did by releasing your debut novella, The Disappearing Key, just last week (congratulations!). Tell us about this book and the inspiration behind it.

The Disappearing Key is a women’s fiction work told from three POVs exploring what happens when everything you hold closest to you suddenly goes missing. The inspiration grew from a seed that was planted the second I heard about the stillborn loss my college friend endured. A culmination of random other aspects intersected to form this unique work. Being a mom inspires me, so adding layered aspects regarding parenting in this work felt like a must.

This story sounds so intriguing! I already purchased it and it's waiting for me on my Kindle. You chose to self-publish this novella. I’d love to hear why you chose to go in this direction.

I’ve watched friends take this route and really, the timing just felt right. I’ve consistently received positive feedback on my work, encouraging me to keep at it. Also, an editor offered assistance at the ideal time.

It  does sound like this is the perfect time for you to publish this story. As a wife and mom, what has been your greatest struggle as you’ve pursued publication? And your greatest blessing?

Make no mistake, as thrilled as I am to have my work out there, I’ve experience plenty of humbling moments when I’ve felt crushed or unsure of my vocation. It pains me when my kids and my husband see me like this—see me at my weakest moments. It also inspires me to remain a fighter. My greatest blessing is always the joy that comes from the craft. It really is a form of worship for me.

I couldn't agree more. The verse I've chosen for my blog is Psalm 19:14: "May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my rock and my redeemer."  I believe one of the most powerful ways we can worship is when we're walking in the gift He's given us. For writers, it's the act of writing.

Here's one last question, just for fun. If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, which would it be and why?

You realize this is the hardest question you’ve asked, don’t you? I wanted to answer with something like Star Wars or The Lord of the Rings because it would be like having six or three in one (a cheater answer). Then I wanted to say Shrek or National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation because everyone needs to laugh. But I’m going with Dan in Real Life or Good Will Hunting or Dan in Real Life or Good Will…

Wendy, thank you so much for visiting with us today! My prayer is that your work will bless those who read it.

Wendy has graciously agreed to give away a free copy of her new release, The Disappearing Key, to one of the blog readers who comments on this post between now and Tuesday, October 15th at 11:59 p.m. Please leave your email address under your comment!

A QUESTION FOR MY BLOG READERS: If you could only watch one movie for the rest of your life, which would it be and why?

Last weeks winner of Love's Awakening, by Laura Frantz is: 
Debbie Parmer!
Debbie, I will be contacting you to get your mail address for Laura! Congratulations!

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Gabrielle Bivane never expected parenting a teenager would be this hard, but she never expected stillborn Oriana to live to see fourteen, either. The night of Oriana's birth, Gabrielle and her husband Roy fused their genetic and engineering geniuses to bring back all that was lost to them—at a cost.

 

The secret must be kept.

 

Oriana Bivane senses she’s not like the other girls her age, but the time has come for her to change all that. She’s tired of secrets, but does she confide in the wrong person?

 

The life-giving key, suddenly missing, must be found.

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Wendy lives with her husband, their three girls, and a skunk-dodging Samoyed. She feels most alive when she’s laughing, speeding on a boat, reading, writing, refurbishing furniture or taking risks. She’s authored ten novels and is currently writing what she hopes will be your future book club pick.

 

Her work has been published in numerous anthologies and online sites. Wendy graduated with a BA in English from Wittenberg University, where she earned an Honor of Distinction for her accrued knowledge of literature.

 

She’s represented by Rachelle Gardner of Books & Such Literary Agency.

 

Visit http://thoughtsthatmove.blogspot.com/  or connect with Wendy on Facebook or Twitter @wendypmiller

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Six Authors, One Grand Prize

The Grand Prize:
A $25 Amazon eGift Card (not pictured) from Gabrielle Meyer
A stationary and notepad set from Jody Hedlund
A handmade jewel bookmark from Laura Frantz
A multi-colored peacock necklace from Wendy Paine Miller
A copy of the movie Christmas in Connecticut from Melissa Tagg
Book one in the Cadence of Grace Series & a worship CD from Joanne Bischof
A black & brown scarf from Heather Day Gilbert

Over the course of six weeks I will be hosting six authors on my blog. Each author has agreed to offer a free copy of their newest release, as well as an item for a grand prize drawing at the end of the six weeks! To be entered to win a free copy of each book, all you need to do is visit my blog weekly (beginning September 25th) and comment on each author's post. A random winner will be chosen each week. To be entered to win the grand prize, visit my Rafflecopter below and follow the instructions. If you do each thing listed you'll earn 45 chances to win the grand prize! Don't forget to visit here each Wednesday to earn more chances!



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